FORGE Awarded Cummings Grant
Somerville nonprofit receives funding from Cummings Foundation
Somerville, MA, June 2, 2026 – FORGE has been selected by the Cummings Foundation as one of 150 nonprofits to receive support through its annual grant program. This year’s highly competitive process drew a record 959 applicants, with $35 million awarded to organizations across Massachusetts.
FORGE prepares startups with physical products to scale production and connects them with right-fit local manufacturers to accelerate commercialization, strengthen regional supply chains, and drive inclusive economic growth.
This award continues a multi-year partnership between FORGE and the Cummings Foundation, whose support has helped expand access to manufacturing expertise, supply chain connections, and commercialization resources for entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth.
“Receiving continued support from the Cummings Foundation is especially meaningful because it reflects a long-standing shared commitment to strengthening innovation and manufacturing in Massachusetts,” said Laura Teicher, President & Executive Director at FORGE. “This ongoing partnership has helped FORGE connect emerging hardtech entrepreneurs with the expertise, relationships, and resources they need to successfully scale physical products and create lasting economic impact.”
Foundation executive director and trustee Joyce Vyriotes noted that the changes reflect growing concerns among Greater Boston nonprofits about rising costs, increased demand for services, and sustained uncertainty around public funding: “Nonprofit professionals are closest to the challenges facing their communities, making them best positioned to determine where and how new funds will drive the greatest impact,” said Vyriotes. “By providing increased, flexible funding, we hope to strengthen organizations’ long-term stability and help them respond to evolving community needs.”
Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation reinvests in the areas where it owns commercial real estate. Its buildings are all managed at no cost to the Foundation by its affiliate, Cummings Properties, a Woburn-based commercial developer that leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space. All rental profits support the Foundation.
Since its founding, Cummings Foundation has awarded more than $650 million to Greater Boston nonprofits. The complete list of this year’s grant recipients, along with additional information about the Foundation and its grant programs, is available at CummingsFoundation.org.
About FORGE
Founded in 2015, FORGE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping startups with physical products navigate the journey from prototype through to commercialization and impact at scale. Through manufacturing readiness education, expert advising, curated supply chain connections, and access to non-dilutive funding opportunities, FORGE equips innovators with the knowledge, relationships, and resources needed to successfully bring products to market. By connecting startups with right-fit local manufacturers, FORGE strengthens regional supply chains, supports domestic manufacturing, and drives inclusive economic growth. Learn more at FORGEimpact.org.
About Cummings Foundation
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester, Mass., and has grown to become one of the largest private foundations in New England. In addition to its annual grant program, the Foundation directly operates two not-for-profit retirement communities: New Horizons at Marlborough and New Horizons at Choate, in Woburn. Additional information is available at CummingsFoundation.org.